Naughty horse...help!

[nikolethompson]

Hi all

I have a horse on LWVTB and I have completely fallen for him

we have some issues that I need help ironing out, it's becoming unmanageable!

he is a 6 yo (just turned 6) cob gelding

His owner has had him from 5 months old but hasn't really done much with him, for example before I got him she hadn't turned him out in over 12 months for fear of him being bullied in the field. He never did any schooling and only ever hacked in company

I have had him for 6 weeks now, and although at first he was good, he is now starting to get very naughty.

firstly, when turned out he refuses to come in. He is good as gold to go over to, cuddle him and put his head collar on but he will not move his feet. If you try and move him he spins, pulls, jumps, plants his feet again and it can take over an hour to get him in with a large bucket of feed! He doesn't move at all unless you have food or treats. If you try and flick him with the rope or take a whip he's even worse and tries to cow kick. Its at the point now where I cannot get him in, he gets worse daily and my husband is now so frustrated with having to spend an hour an evening there to bring him in so I can attempt to ride!

Secondly, when tied up he is great, he paces a little and can try and push you out of the way but otherwise good. When you try to pick his feet he just slams them back down again. I persisted for 50 minutes last night before I half picked out one hoof then had to give up as I had to pick my son up from after school club. He was good in his last home at picking his feet so I haven't a clue how he's picked up this bad habit! no amount of being patient, treats or telling him off is working this has been going on sine I got him and it is getting worse. My husband eventually gets his feet done but he cant come with me daily!

Thirdly, riding... well... he refuses to let you on unless someone's stood there physically holding him still, between the mounting block and a fence. He has had his back and teeth checked and all ok and his tack checked. He's the spookiest cob I have ever known, he freaks out at birds flying in the sky as well as anything he sees, he's had me off twice now luckily he's just stood and waited with me but then it takes another half an hour and then me eventually going to get someone to hold him before I can get back on. I need any tips or ideas for this? We have been working on groundwork, just standing next to the mounting block, standing next to other things I can stand on, but as soon as I get close to stepping up he bolts backwards or forwards and has purposely knocked me off the mounting block (little ******). I cannot even hold the reigns in position as if I am about to get on without him moving out of the way. The more I persist the naughtier he gets.

Last but not least, he's impossible to lunge again without someone there, and he only manages a walk with someone on his other side holding him or he stops and runs at you. I have tried all sorts, running back at him, shouting at him, flicking the lunge, lunge whips everything. he just plants his feet in front of me and looks at me like I'm an idiot

He's so loving and a lovely horse to be around unless I am trying to do anything productive with him!

any advice/help much appreciated as I am coming to a dead end and I totally love him to death

 

[Landcruiser]

If you are a genuine poster I'd say you don't have the experience for a horse like this, DO NOT BUY HIM or you will be injured/killed and you'll do him no favours either.
DO NOT BUY HIM!

 

[nikolethompson]

If you are a genuine poster I'd say you don't have the experience for a horse like this, DO NOT BUY HIM or you will be injured/killed and you'll do him no favours either.
DO NOT BUY HIM!

Hi Landcruiser,

yes I am a genuine poster. And how else do you gain experience without dealing with this? I have owned horses for 15 years but he is very very stubborn. Usually my previous horses have adapted well and I haven't come across behaviour like this before

 

[be positive]

If you are a genuine poster I'd say you don't have the experience for a horse like this, DO NOT BUY HIM or you will be injured/killed and you'll do him no favours either.
DO NOT BUY HIM!

You may love him but do not sound anywhere near experienced enough to cope, he is getting worse rather than better so do yourself a favour and send him back while you can, IF you must persist then be prepared to spend some serious money getting him sorted out by a professional he has none of the basics instilled and a shed load of bad habits that require sorting out, his purchase price, which I hope is very low, will be nothing compared with the investment he needs in time, energy, money.

 

[Landcruiser]

But you have struggled with his behaviour since you got him looking at your previous posts, and his rearing/cow kicking/tanking off are all dangerous behaviors. Why put yourself through it? You just want a horse you can hack out on, and you say he's spooky and nappy. There are thousands of decent horses out there who would be more suitable. I speak as one who let heart rule head with my first horse, and paid the price both financially and emotionally. If I'd known then what I know now he'd have gone back. He's been an expensive field ornament for nearly 10 years now...

 

[nikolethompson]

But you have struggled with his behaviour since you got him looking at your previous posts, and his rearing/cow kicking/tanking off are all dangerous behaviors. Why put yourself through it? You just want a horse you can hack out on, and you say he's spooky and nappy. There are thousands of decent horses out there who would be more suitable. I speak as one who let heart rule head with my first horse, and paid the price both financially and emotionally. If I'd known then what I know now he'd have gone back. He's been an expensive field ornament for nearly 10 years now...

I would really like some advice in the first instance before I just give up and hand him back. It's the last thing I want to do! But I also do not want him to get worse, so any advice to help me try to solve any of my issues would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Arzada]

Hi Landcruiser,

yes I am a genuine poster. And how else do you gain experience without dealing with this? I have owned horses for 15 years but he is very very stubborn. Usually my previous horses have adapted well and I haven't come across behaviour like this before

I would send him back. You can't bring him in, you can't pick his feet out, you can't get on without someone holding him, you've come off twice and had to locate someone to hold him so you can remount, you can't lunge him - the question is why do you want to gain this experience? You could have a horse which comes in, has its feet picked out, waits for you to get on and you could then experience the joys of riding.

If you want to persist and learn how to deal with these numerous issues look for a trainer who is accomplished at working with horses on the ground. Not only to work with the horse but to teach you too.

 

[Amye]

In light of the fact he's been getting worse not getting better over the 6 weeks I would have a professional out to help you. He sounds dangerous and tbh I'm unsure how he can be a nice horse to be around when he plants and won't come in, pushes you out of the way and slams his feet down...

I'm no expert but it's hard to help on a forum without seeing what he's doing, and how you're countering it/training him so I think some professional eyes are needed to help.

It sounds like he's going to need a lot of time and investment and with kids you need to ask yourself if you've got the time to do this. Has he been vetted? I wouldn't be giving him treats either. I'm not against giving treats to horses (I clicker train mine) but it has to be done at the right moment in the right way or it can cause problems.

If I was in your shoes I don't think I'd ride until I had his ground manners sorted... the mounting block thing could be dangerous if you put your foot in the stirrup and he bolted off.


ETA: I'm another with the view of sending him back... he sounds like a proper project horse and if you want to enjoy hacking it will be a long time till you get to that point.. if at all. But i posted the above as you asked for help in the first instance.
Good luck!

 

[be positive]

I would really like some advice in the first instance before I just give up and hand him back. It's the last thing I want to do! But I also do not want him to get worse, so any advice to help me try to solve any of my issues would be greatly appreciated.

He is getting worse and without professional help the chances are it will continue until you have an accident, I don't think there is anything anyone on here can suggest without knowing you and the horse, you can do nothing with him without treats/ food and obviously don't have the experience to sort it out, get proper help or send it back.

 

[smja]

It sounds like you and he have a fundamental communication problem - all of these behaviours sound like they stem from that.

You need to get an experienced person there to see both of you in person. We can't tell from the forum if he's being aggressive/lacking respect/etc. or if you're not being clear in your instructions/confusing him/etc. - without understanding the cause we cannot suggest ways to deal with this.

I would not purchase a horse like this if I were you. Sometimes there is just a personality clash between horse and handler; as the ones who are able to choose in this matter, it's our responsibility to identify that and find the horse a more suitable match.

 

[Antw23uk]

Here is what I would do ... Dear owner, LWVTB isnt working, please accept this letter as a formal one months notice and I will be returning *cob* back to you. Thanks, N Thompson.

 

[eggs]

Sorry, another who says to send him back. He doesn't sound like he is the horse for you and personally I think this is a case of a nasty accident just waiting to happen. There are plenty of 'loving' horses out there without his behaviour issues. I understand that he is probably reluctant to come in from the field after being kept in for 12 months (although I would question if this really was the case and was it because the owner couldn't bring him in either) but that is still no reason for this behaviour to be getting worse.

If you absolutely insist on keeping him then please, please get some GOOD professional help with him - this will cost you a fair bit of money - and there is no guarantee that you will end up with a horse that you can handle.

 

[laura_nash]

Are you sure this horse has actually been started under sadddle? From your description I would say it has never been lunged before, never taught to stand still to be mounted, isn't comfortable with the idea of a person on its back and basically has no idea what you are asking it to do. Maybe the previous owner just leaped on from the ground and went for a "trek" following the bum of the horse in front?

I don't blame him for not wanting to come in if he was stabled for 1 year without turnout, I'd be saying much the same about going back in the stable myself I think (i.e. ******* you no way!).

This horse is going to need a LOT of work, time and money. IMO if you want to keep this horse you need to restart it as if it is a complete baby, or ideally pay someone else to do that since I assume you have never started a youngster before. If the previous owner had it from 5 months and doesn't understand horses at all (i.e. keeping an unworked/barely-worked 5 year old stabled full-time to avoid bullying!) its likely he's not been properly socialised and may always be difficult re personal space and turnout with other horses. Its also quite possible there is a physical problem (not necessarily fixable) behind the problems with mounting and the spookiness.

In the meantime stop everything since he is getting worse and putting you in danger. If you really want to keep him (honestly, unless you are planning a career in equine behaviour / training I can't understand why you would!) just spend time in the field catching and releasing, then maybe take out the gate give a feed (NOT from the hand) and put back, with the aim to get into the stable sensibly and well-behaved, without any stress, give a feed and turn back out. Do that for a week or two at least until he starts to like the idea of coming in. No point doing anything else till you have that established.

Ideally leave the feet for now since that is also getting worse, but that is harder if he is shod. If he was really good to have his feet handled in his previous home (as oppose to that is what they told you) then might consider the possibility of mites. Alternatively he might just be stressed about being in (from your description of "pacing a little and trying to push you out of the way" which is NOT being great to be tied up) so you could try picking out his feet in the field with someone else holding him.

 

[Suncat]

I really appreciate that you're attached to him and probably fear that no one else will tackle his issue if you don't - but your family need to be your first priority. You sound like a caring and giving person, so I don't doubt that's the case. This horse belongs to someone else, ultimately his behaviour and care are still their responsibility.

If (and by if I, honestly I mean: when) he hurts you, both you and your family will be badly impacted. In the meantime he drains your time and resources, which impacts them too. And they sound incredibly supportive, you lucky thing! Be very clear on what you want from time with your horse. Unless its a steep learning curve to semi-pro rehab work and you clearly accept the high risks (and are willing to tell your family you have) then return him and look for a horse than can meet your wishes. I bet that decision feels horrible, but (having been in similar situations), you won't know what weight and worry you're carrying around until you lift it off your shoulders.

I think every reply I've read have been well meaning and thought out, please don't discount them - we all need impartial once in a while and can this many H&Hs be wrong

Very best of luck - be brave!

 

[Pinkvboots]

I would send him back your taking too much on and don't have the experience to cope with all of his problems, if he had say 2 little issues it would be different you could probably deal with them if you got professional help, but this horse sounds like every day to day routine is going to be a nightmare for you, it's meant to be fun go and find yourself something that is suitable for a novice so you can enjoy your time and energy on something that is a pleasure to be around.

I have had horses for 35 years dealt with all sorts some were rude and dangerous mainly through work and it's taught me they are not worth getting yourself hurt over, I like my horses to be polite and easy and that way I am relatively safe and can enjoy my time with them. Most people on here have said the same take that advice from people that know and give the horse back.

 

[Ellietotz]

I was the same as you a couple of months a go... I came here to post numerous amount of times, thoroughly annoying every member on here in the process. I was stubborn, in love and wanted learn how to teach them myself probably for the reward it gave at the end which, I could be wrong, sounds like you want too?
Like everyone else has said already, it's hard to know what is going on without properly seeing it happen in person. He sounds potentially quite dangerous though, cow kicking and bolting sounds very extreme and I don't even think I would have wanted to push through that.
With my situation, I figured after all the advice I got, it was me that was the issue. I was letting her try to bite me, run away from me, push me about and bully me around like I was one of the herd. When I changed my mindset, everything fell into place. Again though, this only worked for me because I know her back story, I knew she was spoiled and that's why she could take the mic so it only took a firm hand to show her she wasn't in charge anymore. I went through multiple things thinking it was physical etc, got everything checked numerous times, from stomach ulcers, several saddles, physio and it all stopped the moment I stopped 'letting' her. She is now actually very lovely and it all fell into place.
Anyway, I digress. I'm not really sure what advice to give you without knowing if it's behavioral or physical but that was my story, if it helps you in anyway and perhaps it could be the same with him knowing he can take advantage of you. You mention your husband gets him to pick his feet up etc eventually which says to me that he knows he can't mess him around and get away with it. Try going back to basics with him, lots of groundwork. If he is tied up and shuffles around, push him back, don't let him decide where he is standing, it isn't his choice. Little steps like that will go far and you don't have to accomplish everything in a day, simply bringing him in, making him stand and putting him back will be an accomplishment for you both.
Good luck. Keep us updated.

 

[Ceriann]

Send him back. My mare had some but by no means all of these traits - I got lots of help but she did a lot of damage, physically and to my confidence. She's a different horse now she's not ridden (and I put in a lot of time with groundwork) and a perfect companion. My new ridden mare is lovely though, easy in every way and she's a breath of fresh air. I love my other mare but I also "like" this one (no ifs no buts) and she makes me smile. I wasted many years on a crusade to fix my other mare - I wish I hadn't.

 

[FestiveFuzz]

I'm really sorry to echo the others but it honestly doesn't sound like you have the time or the experience to bring this particular horse on. Over the course of the time you've had him his behaviour has deteriorated, so if you really are serious about keeping him I would recommend getting a professional in to help you and give an honest assessment of the pair of you.

It sounds like he's insecure and not getting the boundaries he needs and is therefore taking matters into his own hooves. I would also question whether the horse has been properly started based on what you've said about lunging and mounting and also how the owner kept him before you got him. You need to be firm but fair with him. It sounds like you're able to put the headcollar on him in the field and that you're just struggling to get him moving. If this is the case you need to get a bit tough with him. I'd make sure I had a hat and gloves on and go to catch him with a lunge line and whip so I can drive him forward, whilst keeping out the way of any flying hooves. At the moment the fact you back down when he tries to kick is just reinforcing the fact that if he throws his weight around he gets his own way, so you really do need to nip this in the bud before he gets truly dangerous!

When it comes to lunging, what are you doing when he comes in towards you?

 

[Merrymoles]

It's really hard when you like them a lot and don't want to send them back

However, I think your first step is to get a professional in and see how he behaves with them, in terms of the bringing in, picking feet up, mounting etc. Then you will see whether there are major issues or whether he is just taking the mick with you and, with the help of the professional, can decide whether you are prepared to spend the time, energy and money sorting him out.

I also have an "interesting" cob who was a bit of a nightmare when I got him and is now much improved. But it has taken time, patience, all of my knowledge and help from my instructor and friends to get there and it isn't a challenge to be taken on lightly.

Good luck but make sure you put yourself and your safety first.

 

[nikolethompson]

I'm really sorry to echo the others but it honestly doesn't sound like you have the time or the experience to bring this particular horse on. Over the course of the time you've had him his behaviour has deteriorated, so if you really are serious about keeping him I would recommend getting a professional in to help you and give an honest assessment of the pair of you.

It sounds like he's insecure and not getting the boundaries he needs and is therefore taking matters into his own hooves. I would also question whether the horse has been properly started based on what you've said about lunging and mounting and also how the owner kept him before you got him. You need to be firm but fair with him. It sounds like you're able to put the headcollar on him in the field and that you're just struggling to get him moving. If this is the case you need to get a bit tough with him. I'd make sure I had a hat and gloves on and go to catch him with a lunge line and whip so I can drive him forward, whilst keeping out the way of any flying hooves. At the moment the fact you back down when he tries to kick is just reinforcing the fact that if he throws his weight around he gets his own way, so you really do need to nip this in the bud before he gets truly dangerous!

When it comes to lunging, what are you doing when he comes in towards you?

Hi

yeah he comes towards me and just puts his head in my boobs for a cuddle. He's not nasty at all he's just stubborn! he's never kicked me or hurt me, I know he has the potential to as all horses do. When he pulls in the field I haven't let him go, he just tries it but we get there in the end.

it's difficult to explain, he is a lovely horse he just needs me to grow some balls and show him who is boss, but I don't want to do this in the wrong way. I am going up tonight, I am going to bring him in, groom him, pick his feet and ride him because I can. it may take hours but we will get there. x

 

[nikolethompson]

I was the same as you a couple of months a go... I came here to post numerous amount of times, thoroughly annoying every member on here in the process. I was stubborn, in love and wanted learn how to teach them myself probably for the reward it gave at the end which, I could be wrong, sounds like you want too?
Like everyone else has said already, it's hard to know what is going on without properly seeing it happen in person. He sounds potentially quite dangerous though, cow kicking and bolting sounds very extreme and I don't even think I would have wanted to push through that.
With my situation, I figured after all the advice I got, it was me that was the issue. I was letting her try to bite me, run away from me, push me about and bully me around like I was one of the herd. When I changed my mindset, everything fell into place. Again though, this only worked for me because I know her back story, I knew she was spoiled and that's why she could take the mic so it only took a firm hand to show her she wasn't in charge anymore. I went through multiple things thinking it was physical etc, got everything checked numerous times, from stomach ulcers, several saddles, physio and it all stopped the moment I stopped 'letting' her. She is now actually very lovely and it all fell into place.
Anyway, I digress. I'm not really sure what advice to give you without knowing if it's behavioral or physical but that was my story, if it helps you in anyway and perhaps it could be the same with him knowing he can take advantage of you. You mention your husband gets him to pick his feet up etc eventually which says to me that he knows he can't mess him around and get away with it. Try going back to basics with him, lots of groundwork. If he is tied up and shuffles around, push him back, don't let him decide where he is standing, it isn't his choice. Little steps like that will go far and you don't have to accomplish everything in a day, simply bringing him in, making him stand and putting him back will be an accomplishment for you both.
Good luck. Keep us updated.

yes this is definitely what I want to do. I don't want to give up on him. he's not a nasty horse he's just stubborn and tries it on. He has cow kicked twice and reared once. When I said bolting, he only moves a few paces and has never gotten out of my grip. I need help changing my mindset. I finish work at 5pm and I am going up to him, I brought him in last night so he's in the stable today so will be dying to get out, but I am going to groom him, pick his feet and ride him even if it takes me all night. He is better for my husband but he is a lot bigger than me. when he shuffles tied up I do push him back. I move him where I want him. I don't mind so much if he shuffles when ive finished but maybe I should push him where I want him even then?
I know people on here are only trying to tell me to give him back to safe me having an accident, but after 6 weeks I do not see this as an option just yet. I want help and advise which is why I posted on here x

 

[FestiveFuzz]

Hi

yeah he comes towards me and just puts his head in my boobs for a cuddle. He's not nasty at all he's just stubborn! he's never kicked me or hurt me, I know he has the potential to as all horses do. When he pulls in the field I haven't let him go, he just tries it but we get there in the end.

it's difficult to explain, he is a lovely horse he just needs me to grow some balls and show him who is boss, but I don't want to do this in the wrong way. I am going up tonight, I am going to bring him in, groom him, pick his feet and ride him because I can. it may take hours but we will get there. x

You definitely need to get a bit firmer if you're letting him come in for a cuddle when you're lunging him! If he goes to turn in on you when lunging you need to flick the whip towards his shoulder to get him back out on to the circle...you need to get him moving out of your space and not allow him into your space unless he's invited. It's not about showing him who's boss but more about setting firm and consistent boundaries for him.

 

[Ellietotz]

yes this is definitely what I want to do. I don't want to give up on him. he's not a nasty horse he's just stubborn and tries it on. He has cow kicked twice and reared once. When I said bolting, he only moves a few paces and has never gotten out of my grip. I need help changing my mindset. I finish work at 5pm and I am going up to him, I brought him in last night so he's in the stable today so will be dying to get out, but I am going to groom him, pick his feet and ride him even if it takes me all night. He is better for my husband but he is a lot bigger than me. when he shuffles tied up I do push him back. I move him where I want him. I don't mind so much if he shuffles when ive finished but maybe I should push him where I want him even then?
I know people on here are only trying to tell me to give him back to safe me having an accident, but after 6 weeks I do not see this as an option just yet. I want help and advise which is why I posted on here x

God, you sound just like me! Be strong, tell him what you want, talk to him, growl if you have to if he's misbehaving and don't once let him do what he wants. Even little things that you ignore, like I did, you don't realise how much harm it does. You have to be consistent, even when you've finished doing what you want, he is still tied up which means it's not time to be a horse, he can go out and play in the field or whatever when you've said so. With me, it was even to the point where I couldn't let her follow me in the field anymore as she was learning to just herd me and get scratches whenever. To me, I ignorantly thought it was sweet but it was making it worse. You must be the one in charge at all times. When he turns in to you when you lunge and comes for a cuddle, don't let him, as hard as it is because it seems so cute, you must tell him no and shoo him away again. Luckily, my mare was a quick learner, in 3 days we had pretty much switched places and I can do little things like scratching her in the field etc, I just always make sure now that I walk away first and ignore her if she follows me while I continue to do my chores. Once you've taught him the boundaries, you can begin to work on more x

 

[JillA]

If you do your research, read, learn and find your best way to deal with him you will be a far better horse person for it. They are known as "teachers" because they force you to learn. Stay safe, take things in baby steps and look into reinforcement learning - and stop thinking of him as a cuddly toy. He is a big potentially dangerous animal from a species that has spent millenia wanting to please us humans. All you have to do is find out how to teach him what you want and what you don't want - simples

And don't get aggressive, that will encourage him to be aggressive back in self defence. I've just been to help a mare who was allegedly dangerous - her owner was scared of her. Inject some quiet confidence into the owner and hey presto, she has a polite responsive mare. Make sure you aren't displaying your emotions.

 

[Hannahgb]

It also sounds like he needs a strict routine. You say he came in yesterday and has been in ever since. I'm not surprised that once hes out he then doesn't want to come back in if hes stuck in for 24 hours. Get him in a routine of coming in and out, sometimes to be ridden, others to just be groomed, handful of feed and back out again.

 

[FestiveFuzz]

And don't get aggressive, that will encourage him to be aggressive back in self defence. I've just been to help a mare who was allegedly dangerous - her owner was scared of her. Inject some quiet confidence into the owner and hey presto, she has a polite responsive mare. Make sure you aren't displaying your emotions.

Just to clarify in case there's any confusion, I'm not advocating beating him when I've suggested using a lunge whip to get him moving in the field/drive him back out to the circle on the lunge line, I literally mean a flick at the ground. I completely agree with JillA that aggression will only cause him to retaliate in self defence and is only likely to exacerbate your current troubles.

 

[scats]

My first thought would be to send it back. What's to say you won't put all the work and the owner asks for it back? I've known LWVTB go that way in the past. There are lots of horses out there that you could enjoy without the hassle.

But, if you are keen to continue, which you sound like you are, I would be very honest in whether you have the skills and knowledge to deal with these problems. If you are struggling now, as your original post suggests, I think the answer to that is that no, you don't have all the experience yet, but you are keen to learn. So a way forward would be to enlist the help of a professional or an instructor, who can set you off on the right path. Perhaps some ground work lessons first on how you should be instilling manners into the horse, so you know that you are on the right path.

One thing I always remember is, every single interaction with a horse, you are training it in some way. Be it positively or otherwise, so do keep that in mind. This may be why you have found the horse has gone backwards, because without realising, you are training it to behave that way. Turning in for a cuddle on the lunge. He's not enjoying the cuddle, he's enjoying the turning in and doing nothing and has figured out a way to do it. Even just one stroke of his head when he turns in, you are effectively rewarding him.

Diva was a feet planter when I got her, and that's her initial go-to if she doesn't want to go somewhere. I very swiftly pull her to the side, off balance, so she has to move her feet in some way. Then I repeat the other way. She's not allowed to stand, I keep her feet moving. Within a few seconds she realises that she's not enjoying this version of the game and walks on.

 

[Arzada]

Hi

I am going up tonight, I am going to bring him in, groom him, pick his feet and ride him because I can. it may take hours but we will get there. x

You seem to have forgotten that you brought him in last night. I'd be happy with a short groom or a short time on feet eg I would be happy with cooperation of one foot even maybe not picking it out. Depending how it goes. He's already been in c 24 hours so go for success with a short time on one of the issues. Why do you want to tackle all the issues in one evening? Be pleased with something seemingly small but which is actually an achievement and turn him out. I might actually just give a small feed and turn out. And don't let him stick his head in your boobs.

 

[Antw23uk]

Hi

yeah he comes towards me and just puts his head in my boobs for a cuddle. He's not nasty at all he's just stubborn! he's never kicked me or hurt me, I know he has the potential to as all horses do. When he pulls in the field I haven't let him go, he just tries it but we get there in the end.

it's difficult to explain, he is a lovely horse he just needs me to grow some balls and show him who is boss, but I don't want to do this in the wrong way. I am going up tonight, I am going to bring him in, groom him, pick his feet and ride him because I can. it may take hours but we will get there. x

I'm going to my horses tonight and I'm going to bring them in, groom them, pick their feet out and lunge both of them, give them a token feed for supplements and turn them back out. We shall compare our evening tomorrow?

Life is short, they are supposed to be fun, thats why we do this. Enjoy, chat tomorrow.

 

[Ellietotz]

It also sounds like he needs a strict routine. You say he came in yesterday and has been in ever since. I'm not surprised that once hes out he then doesn't want to come back in if hes stuck in for 24 hours. Get him in a routine of coming in and out, sometimes to be ridden, others to just be groomed, handful of feed and back out again.

Agree with this, I'm so set on routine but I always make sure that there are days for just fussing so she doesn't think that every time I have a head collar, it means she's coming in for work. Little things and baby steps, you don't need to make it all happen in a day. There is no rush. Someone on here gave me another great piece of advice too: "You are not just getting used to them, they are getting used to you too." you need to be clear, set the boundaries but don't make it all hard work, be rewarding if he does well and always leave things on a good note, don't push for more x